HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-05-04, Page 16Putting it together
BOB WATTAM'S BACKHOE
SERVICE INC.
"We Can Dig It"
• Trenching • Landscaping
• Excavating • Trucking
• Ponds • Float Service
• Fencebeds • Auger Service
Belgrave, Ontario
519-357-3069
Mobile: Bob 519-357-6386
It's Dirty Work
and we do it
NESBITT
CONSTRUCTION INC.
BACKHOE_ • BULLDOZING • EXCAVATING
• SAND & GRAVEL • SEPTIC TANKS
• FARM DRAINAGE
RR #3 Clinton 482-3232
Decks (Cedar, Trex,
Pressure Treated)
Fences
Sheds
Play Centres
Patio Stones
Goderich TIM-BR-MART
295 Bayfield Road,
Goderich
Phone: (519) 524-1778 Fax: (519) 524 -4926
PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2006.
Create beauty in your yard with potted plants
Greenhouse owner Sylvia Nonkes offers some easy tips to
help you create picture perfect planters. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Owner: Gaye Datema
We sell from our greenhouse:
'' bedding plants * hanging baskets' planters
fill your own containers for an individual look
Choose from: wave petunias, fuchsias, ivies, verbenas, geraniums,
begonias, spikes, daisies and many more.
For long lasting beauty choose from our perennials.
* Healthful and nutritious vegetables and tomatoes are also available.
COME AND SEE US
THIS SEASON FOR ALL YOUR
GARDENING PLANTS
Swiptioe Mom on Atotheit'a Dow wit4 a om
14.mdifut *Weft fan colowt aft oununen tong.
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WRI6ingoR farm
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83341 CURRIE LINE - RR 3 BLYTH
519-523-9407
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
One of the best ways to add colour
to your yard this summer is with
potted plants. But how do you create
that perfect look'?
Sylvia Nonkes of Spring Breezes
said container gardening is a fun
way to work with plants, allowing
you to create a miniature landscape
within a container. "It has the
advantage of taking very little time
and effort to maintain, It lets you
sizes and shapes placed in groups of
three or five.
Another typical- placement is on
either side of the front door, which
usually calls for a taller pot or urn to
make an impressive statement. "It's
generally better to have something
more substantial here."
If the entrance is small, one pot is
fine to add a "splash of colour and
make a statement," said Nonkes.
Selecting the plants is the next
step. When it comes to-colour there's
really no rule, said Nonkes. "Some
people like to have a theme, but
others like them all and want as
many colours as possible." .
Choosing the plants means
knowing what kind of sun exposure
they will have. Also if the urn or pot
you are using is decorative you
probably don't want to cover it with
a trailing plant "because you can't
appreciate the nice container."
Nonkes said when you visit the
nursery come with a list or questions
you need to ask. "The sales people
'have good ideas and know how these
plants perform. Keep in mind the
location because sun or shade will
influence what you can buy."
Once you have the pots and plants,
the fun begins. Fill' the container
with a commercial container mix to
within a few inches from the top.
Don't use soil from your garden as
it's too heavy. The commercial mix
enable to the plants to root quickly
and start growing.
In a big pot, stones, wood chips,
compost or top soil can be placed in
the bottom as the roots won't go that
deep.
The next step is planting and
Nonkes has a simple formula for
novices to achieve that nursery look.
Begin with three heights. Then using
a I2-inch pot as an example, she
suggests one tall plant. Around that
put three medium plants, then
between those alternate a trailing
Continued on page 17
garden without having to worry
about weeds, poor soil and heavy
shoveling."
The first step in -creating that
picture-perfect planter is the right
container. Nonkes said there are all
kinds you can use, from -fancy
cement urns, to a child wagons or
plain plastic pots, to moss-lined
hanging baskets.
Use your imagination but keep in
mind that drainage is important.
Decide where you want,to place
your pots or baskets. Clustering is
often a popular look with a variety of